The 6 Best Motto by Hilton Hotels To Book With Points [For Max Value]

Motto by Hilton offers incredible value for travelers looking for affordable options with a familiar brand.

While the brand has a small footprint, Motto by Hilton has established itself as a solid choice, especially for families.

Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the Motto by Hilton brand and examine some of the best hotels currently open!

Everything You Need To Know About Motto by Hilton

Of Hilton’s many brands, Motto by Hilton is one of the smallest. Founded in 2018, it’s among the hotel chain’s newest brands and has just 8 properties open. However, with over 20 properties in development, Motto by Hilton is shaping up to be one of Hilton’s fastest-growing new brands.

Motto by Hilton focuses on an experience where guests can “live like a local” in buzzy destinations. Some brand signatures of the Motto by Hilton include compact guest rooms, communal spaces, and a coffee house and bar for work and leisure. 

Bottom Line:

Motto is also known for its connecting rooms program — which Hilton calls the first of its kind — where guests can connect up to 9 rooms together, all on the same reservation. 

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

Hilton Honors members can accelerate their Hilton Honors points earnings with a Hilton co-branded credit card. In addition to increased earnings at Hilton properties, members can also take advantage of complimentary elite status. Some cards also come with statement credits and free night rewards.

These are some of the best credit cards for Hilton loyalists:

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

100,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$500

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.

Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.

To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 7x points per $1 on Hilton stays
• 5x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Not great for those who want multiple redemption options
• Offers the least benefits of all Hilton cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors Loyalty Program

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

165,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$825

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

• Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership

175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible travel purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Earn 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other eligible purchases on your card
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status
• $550 annual fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome Offer

Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

20.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status

Cons

• $195 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/8/2025.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• As a Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
• Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

Free Night Rewards

Hilton offers Free Night Rewards that cover the cost of a room. These rewards can be used at participating Motto by Hilton properties. They are an excellent option if you want to save cash or don’t have enough Hilton Honors points on hand.

Depending on which American Express Hilton Honors credit card you have, you may be eligible for a Free Night Reward each year after card renewal or after spending at least a certain amount on the card during the year. One of our favorite Hilton cards that offers a Free Night Award is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. 

Another way to earn a Free Night Award is with a welcome offer on a Hilton Honors credit card after meeting a minimum spend requirement during a specific timeframe.

• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card: Earn 165,000 points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

As you’ll see below, Motto’s portfolio doesn’t include many costly properties like you’d see at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad hotel. Still, you may come across dates (especially around major holidays) when using a Free Night Reward makes the most sense.

The information regarding Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Hot Tip:

You’ll earn an additional Free Night Reward if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year and another when you spend $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year on the Hilton Aspire card. If you have the Hilton Surpass card, you can earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

The 6 Best Motto by Hilton Redemptions

1. Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square (New York, U.S.)

Here at Upgraded Points, we’re big fans of the Motto by Hilton New York Times Square. One of the brand’s flagship properties, it opened last fall to much fanfare.

The 400-room hotel is located in the center of Times Square, near many popular attractions like Times Square, Broadway, the famous Disney Store, M&M’s New York, and is a few short blocks from Rockefeller Center. 

The hotel’s rooms are tiny — a brand staple and a feature for Manhattan hotels — though they are smartly designed with Murphy, bunk, or standard queen-size beds. Up to 9 rooms can be connected. Amenities include a restaurant, a bar, and a small fitness center with Peloton machines.

While the hotel charges a destination fee, it covers a fair bit — especially for a hotel in the Big Apple. The fee includes premium internet access, a daily $10 food and beverage credit, 1 Crunch Fitness pass, 1 Citi Bike rental unlimited pass, and 2 bottled waters.

Motto Times Square is perhaps one of the most expensive hotels in the brand’s portfolio. For dates this fall and winter, you can expect to pay between $250 and $500 per night. Award nights are standard across the board at 80,000 points per night for a standard room, making Motto Times Square a perfect candidate to redeem a Free Night Reward.

2. Motto by Hilton Tulum (Mexico)

Many hotel chains, including Hilton, have planted flags in the bustling Tulum region in recent years. This is especially true as the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport (TQO) has opened just 24 miles from Tulum’s center.

Motto by Hilton Tulum is a mixed-used lifestyle space featuring 2 rooftop infinity pools with views of the jungle. Rooms are small but are tastefully designed in dark wood features, owing to the hotel’s jungle location. Amenities include a small pool, a fitness center, a rooftop dinner complete with a Mayan ceremony, and access to 2 nearby beach clubs for guests. The hotel is also connected to Tulum’s first shopping mall.

Rates at this hotel are dirt cheap: standard rooms range from $90 to $115 nightly. The low cash prices make the hotel an excellent candidate for a mattress run if you’re trying to get or keep Hilton Honors status. If you want to use points, you’ll find awards from 34,000 points nightly — an absolute steal for one of the most popular travel destinations in Latin America.

3. Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

As a frequent traveler to Washington, D.C., where much of my family is based, I’m all too aware of how expensive hotels in the nation’s capital can be. This is the case whether you’re paying cash or spending points.

However, the Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center offers an affordable option for leisure and business travelers alike. The hotel is Motto’s first and opened for guests back in 2020. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown D.C., directly across the street from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro, which serves 4 Metro lines.

Amenities include a subterranean whiskey bar serving up Southern cuisine, a fitness center, and meeting spaces.

Rooms at the Motto D.C. average around $220 per night, though on some dates, they can be nearly $400 per night. You’ll find some award nights from 27,000 points per night but expect to pay up to 50,000 points per night to stay here.

4. Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak

The 108-room Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak — the debut of the brand in the Netherlands — is within walking distance of popular tourist destinations such as Market Hall, Cube Houses, and Old Harbour. The main transit station is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

Motto Rotterdam is in a converted bank and features an all-day dining area. The hotel also has a communal space dubbed the “Motto Commons” (a brand staple), where guests can work and unwind with food and drinks. Rooms are compact but can be connected through the brand’s Connected Rooms program. 

Cash rates start at around $100 per night. Award nights begin at around 23,000 Hilton Honors points per night, the cheapest of the Motto hotels on this list. 

5. Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea

There are 2 Motto by Hilton properties in the Big Apple, the biggest indication that Hilton sees the brand as a major part of its future.

The Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea is located south of Times Square and is 2 blocks from Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. It offers a pretty good selection of room types, and some offer pristine views of the Manhattan skyline. 

Amenities include a coffee bar, a restaurant serving Italian cuisine, a fitness center, meeting spaces, and more. There’s also room service, which is a rarity for a mid-tier hotel brand. 

Rates here are pretty steep, with standard rooms ranging from $250 to nearly $500 per night for dates this fall. Award nights start at 61,000 points per night, which is pretty decent, especially in New York City.

6. Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square

The last hotel on our list is the Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square. For a Motto hotel, this property offers the largest rooms, with queen rooms ranging between 175 and 200 square feet and studios ranging from 310 to 320 square feet. You’ll find a variety of configurations, from standard beds to bunk beds and studios.

The hotel also offers the most robust amenity offerings: a fitness center, a rooftop, and 3 dining options. You’ll be in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love, just a few blocks from shopping, dining, and museums and a mile away from 30th Street Amtrak station.

Prices at the Motto Philadelphia aren’t the cheapest — you’ll find cash rates from $200 to more than $350 per night for dates this fall. However, if you want to use Hilton Honors points, redemptions start at 37,000 per night.

Final Thoughts

Motto by Hilton is a fairly new Hilton Honors brand, and while it isn’t the fanciest, it offers incredible value for travelers who value good locations, affordable pricing, and thoughtful amenities. We hope this guide was helpful as you book your next trip at a Motto by Hilton hotel!